I lost my focus lately. I couldn’t answer the question why I do what I do. I lost focus, so I lost my motivation, my drive and my direction as well.
Why would I move if I don’t know where I want to go?
As I wanted my focus, my drive, my motivation and my direction back asap, I needed a couple of steps to take:
Step 1. Figure out what’s the problem
The problem was simple: I didn’t know what I wanted. I had several questions in my head: – –
- “Do I want to keep doing what I’m doing or do I want to start something new?”
- “Do I love what I’m doing and just some external factors disturbed my relationship with my work or I’m on a wrong path?
- Do I have a problem with my current job or the problem arose regardless my job?
Step 2. Find the cause of the problem
I didn’t feel that I’m good at what I’m doing. Additionally, as I wasn’t doing a few things I’m more experienced and good at, and also passionate about, I also felt that I betrayed myself.
→ I was lacking the sense of success and the lack of success slowly leads to demotivation and loss of focus
→ I gave up something that I loved doing, which decreased my self-confidence
→ I’ve been told for weeks where did I mess it up, and what’s wrong with me, which made me lose my motivation and drive
Working in a new field requires failure after failure. And failures are amazing unless they go hand in hand with judgment, dissatisfaction, and impatience. Figure out, who is judging, who is unsatisfied, and who has not enough patience. Is it you, your boss, a colleague or maybe the voice of someone (a parent, or a mentor)?
Step 3. Sit down and shut up
Losing focus for a while doesn’t mean that you lose time or that you are lost. Losing focus means that you face a distracting energy that needs to find its way (in or out). Give it space and listen, because:
→ Losing focus might be a great possibility to reassess your goal
→ It can bring new perspective in or end with a shift of focus
→ It can strengthen your belief in what you previously set as a goal
Step 4. Create a deep sketch
I set creating my goal map as a task for this week. I wanted to take my problem seriously. Otherwise, I would have brought it with me for a few more weeks hoping that the answer would pop up while I cook or workout. Standing still and silent speeded up this process. Listening to how other people think speeded up this process, as well.
Now grab a piece of paper and write answer these questions:
Where in your life are you unsatisfied at the moment? (the way you feel, the environment you created for yourself, your achievements the way you look, the everyday routine you follow, the people you spend time with, et.)
What would make you fully satisfied? (forget everyone else, forget your boss, your colleagues, your customers, your family, your partner, and focus deeply on you meeting your own expectations)
How would these make you more satisfied? (how would these serve your most important life value, for instance your desire for freedom, social connections, safety, etc).
Are the things you mentioned above true enough to make you want to go and get them?
Step 5. Spend time alone & with good people
When I was ready to make the decision to focus entirely on my loss of focus, my problem instantly started to fade away. A shift from I CANNOT to I WANT changed everything, so I could create my What do I want & Why do I want it GOAL MAP in 10 mins.
→ Figuring out what my problem was helped me understand my goals and the truth of my goals better
→ My sister telling me what her mission is helped me switch my focus from low energy to the desire to contribute
→ The clear vision & trust of my CEO helped me regain the will to create & the will to succeed
love, d
dorialbert.com 